West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-03-17

/ Gays / used 60 pride mvsClf ON superior
force. II would never do 10 let him find
me lacking nerve, or my old ascendencv
would vanish wholly. So promptly rose
again.
Why, I can receive the delegation il
You really want me TO Brooks, but"
"All right, Chug, YOU may receive
them. Treat them we'll That Mil lgiye
me time 70 90 over this paper, and must
do II before noon. -
was somewhat agitated. To confront
these fellows face 10 face grew every in
slant more disagrecablc 20 me. For two
years had rusted in the mines. Proba.
bly, this delegation contained preachers
lawyers, practiced spokesmcn. To answer
whom would require more than mere au-
dacity. But Harold stood looking on
perpleNed, and Brooks himself was peer
ing up from his papers with covert
smile. put bold face on it,
Here, Harold, help me put these
chairs in the private room" And seized
an arm chair. in each hand.
Harold looked at Brooks with aston
ishment and protest
"Iou will need the chains. OF course. "
he said.
''No, I'll make 'cm stand. III soon
get rid Of the prison delegation, " cried
emphatically. Brooks nodded. and Har-
Old unwillingly Joined in removing every
chalr TO the inner apartment, save the
ones which Brooks and had occupied
Now bring 'cm, said /, and while
Harold was gone l threw off my coat
united my neck-band, put my watch in
open sight upon the desk, and took a
pen, freshly dipped i'm ink.
III let these fellows know that time
Is prccious!" | said decisivelv, looking
down at Brooks.
The door opening from the ante-room
swung on its hinges Harold appeared
upon the threshold He gave a look of
dlsmay as he saw me in my shirt sleeves.
but ! stood erect and firm There was
rustling of silks, prophetic fragrance,
soft murmuring voices, and then bevy
OF ladies flowed suddenly into the
room. l stared dumbfoundcd
Great --l cr- ladiesi"
dropped my pen, sprang to my coat.
and plunged my arms frenziedly into the
sleeves.
Excuse me, ladies, T., l had for
gotten the -, the sex Of your delepa-
ton -, it is such hot day --"
l iumblcd my nccktic The horrible
fear came over that l had failed TO comb
my hair that morning. Mother accused
me of rank neglect since my return from
Colorado. But ] caught sight of a dis
tracted phantom in the mirror; happily.
my hair, though somewhat browsy bore
suggestions of combing.
Governor said Harold gravely. 'Ict
me Introduce Mrs. Minor. the head Of
the delegation"
Now ] ought TO have bowed in state
ly way and said Madame. / am happy
to meet you and TO find that prison re
form cnlists advocates at once so fair and
capable"
But ] did not say this. l observed that
Mrs Minor was a tall, matronly lady.
with gray hair, Roman features and pale
complexion, very stylishly dressed in
black, with white lace about her throat
and wrists. / observed that her compan-
ions were mostly elderly, well-bred, taste
fully attircd, sclf-pOsscsscd and cmincntlv
ladylikc. At the rear were some Younger
women, notably one brunette. with flash
ing black eyes, wearing broad -brimmcd
hat, wltha rich red plume and brocadcd
dark red velvet dress. with profusion of
ribbons. She looked dcmurclv over the
''|''i'''t' w ii'l 'blil IilHlNIIn 'lIftliN INTO
my eyes, and J. but Just returned from
such q long exile, unused 90 feminine
proximity, was instantly bercft of all
senses
l stood irrcsolue Mrs. Minor also
stood moment hesitating. Then as /
made q hating movement forward She
held out her gloycd hand, which ! shook
awkwardly
eve ought to be old friends" " said /.
glancing at Brooks, who buried his head
in documents, while his chair shook sus-
plciously, for l was a miner myself un-
tip
The appalling reflection that i'm my i'm
persOnation as Governor all reference 10
my Colorado experience was out of place.
now trippcd the remark added, to
complete the sentence. "Until / became
OF age"
Brooks glanced up with agony in his
face, a look which coniurcd me whatever
else ! did by all the gods not TO profanc
his identity through such abhorrent
puus
Mrs. Minor introduced her companions
Co me. Mrs Griffin, Miss Mink. Mrs.
Qualter;' and she went through the
group, standing O. little aside so as TO
keep the ladies and myself I'm our re-
spcctive places j felt pcrspiration
trickIe over my brow as / bowed TO Miss
Mulwiuc. the brunette, who was the last
one presented a desperate desire to- do
something gallant came over me.
Take seats. ladies. sit down Err
Harold where are the chairsf BRING i'm
the chairs, sir' The chairs ought always
60 be here
Harold wiukcd. put ono hand over bis
Inw and staggered into tho back room
Hc did not rcappcar, but handed forth
the chairs behind the partly open door
without showing Die Couutmaucc. Then
] heard him goo ont into the ante.ro9m bv
way Of the baok corridor. and became
conscious. from the ehuMuu feet chat
hc had posted ui the clcrks against the
communicating door sO that they would
Ovorhclr ms speech
There wcrcu0t chairs enough for thepar.
ty, so j took the chair from my desk and
placed 30 for Miss MulWine i remained
standing before hem
Mr. Governor we have come to- ask
your cooperation in amc.o8Uug the
condition of our Convicts
Here was another great opportunity. Tf
had kept my head if chat pamlvzinp
brunette had not eyed me 10 stcadiIv il
might have said
Ladies. the condition of our conyicts
has long enlisted mv anxious study.